Shore Bets: The Delmarva Fun Guide

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Wanderlust much? Author Jim Duffy of Secrets of the Eastern Shore is here to help.

In his fifth book devoted to travel, history, and culture on the Delmarva Peninsula, Duffy has created a 276-page idea factory that will connect you with hundreds of annual events and cool destinations. "Shore Bets" will serve for years to come as your roadmap to discovering beauty, joy, culture, weirdness, history, and good times while wandering one of the nation's great travel destinations--the storied peninsula that includes the state of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia and lies between the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The book unfolds into two sections. The first connects you with more than 150 annual events, organized by the four seasons. These range from can't-miss classics like Ocean City Springfest, the Chincoteague Pony Swim, Chestertown's Downrigging Weekend, and the Delaware State Fair to idiosyncratic gems like the Apple Scrapple Festival, the Muskrat Skinning World Championship, and the Berlin Bathtub Races.

The second section delivers what-you-need-to-know info on 125 different destinations, organized into five geographic regions. Some of those destinations are one-stop affairs--a fabulous little museum here, or a breathtaking natural attraction there. Others describe multiple fun things to see and do in itineraries devoted to small towns, beach resorts, remote islands, and scenic backroads.

Everything that makes the peninsula special is here, at your fingertips. That makes "Shore Bets" different from Duffy's earlier books. His two popular collections of "Eastern Shore Road Trips" and his collection of "Tubman Travels" contain extended essays that are filled with stories from days gone by and insights into local culture. Those books don't strive to be comprehensive travel guides to the whole region. This one does. It's focused on delivering quick-hitting, what-you-need-to-know descriptions so you can decide which of Delmarva's countless travel options fit your priorities and timetable.

So ... another weekend is approaching. Does the weather look good? Are you feeling the itch to let loose, hit the road, and make some new discoveries? "Shore Bets" is going to help you make the most of your Delmarva travels, from down in Cape Charles to up in Elkton and from oceanfront sunrises to Chesapeake sunsets.

Good times and fun finds await around just about every bend of this glorious peninsula, so start flipping through these pages to find your next fun adventure. Happy wandering!